Scarlets in Challenge Cup knockouts with victory over Vannes

Scarlets skipper Josh Macloed was named player of the match

European Challenge Cup

Scarlets (31) 38

Tries: Macloed 2, Murray, Davies, Rogers, Van der Merwe Cons: Lloyd 4

Vannes (0) 28

Tries: Camou, Uhila, Surano, Boulier Cons: Cotarmanac'h, Lafage 3

Scarlets booked their place in the European Challenge Cup knockout rounds with a bonus-point victory over French visitors Vannes.

It was a straight shootout between the Welsh region and the Top 14 newcomers over who would progress to the last 16.

Two tries from Josh Macloed and scores from Blair Murray, Gareth Davies and Tom Rogers gave Scarlets a commanding 31-0 half-time lead.

But Vannes were resurgent after the break and threatened a comeback as Scarlets took their foot off the gas.

They were rewarded with a four-try bonus-point with Romaric Camou, Matthieu Uhila, Paul Surano and Leon Boulier all crossing, amid a sixth Scarlets try for Marnus van der Merwe.

Scarlets must now wait for other pool games to be played on Sunday to learn if they will get a home tie.

It was a much improved performance from Scarlets after a chastening 31-7 defeat at Gloucester last weekend, and extends their winning run at home to five games in all competitions.

They finish Pool 3 on 11 points, level will leaders Edinburgh who play bottom of the table Black Lion, while Gloucester travel to Bayonne, with both sides currently on nine points.

Despite some early errors, Scarlets showed intent and backed their driving lineout when penalties were on offer.

Referee Aimee Barret-Theron initially thought Macloed was held up, but a review with the television match official (TMO) showed a clear grounding from the Scarlets skipper for the opening try.

The second try was a carbon copy of the first, a good take from Sam Lousi in the lineout and Vannes could do little to defend the powerful drive as Macloed once again crashed over.

The third score came just a few minutes later and this time it was a moment of brilliance from Murray, who was this week named in Wales' Six Nations squad.

He took a swerving high ball on the wing, sidestepped the defender and backed his pace to go past two more before cutting inside to score.

Scarlets took advantage of Salesi Rayasi's yellow card, as Davies sprinted 25m to the line for the bonus-point try.

And there was time for one more before half-time, a super break from Murray who drew the last defender with a show and go before passing out to Rogers - who was making a welcome return from injury.

Vannes started well after the break, with their big forwards getting their hands on the ball.

Camou claimed the visitor's first points of the evening after spinning his way through the defence.

Vannes emptied their bench early and there was a warm applause for former Scarlets number eight Sione Kalamafoni on his Llanelli return, while Wales-born Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney also enjoyed some home support.

Scarlets hit back as Van der Merwe crossed from close range, before Vannes almost got a second as Joe Edwards attempted to finish in the tightest of corners, but he was deemed to be in touch on review.

But the visitors kept running at Scarlets and it was the big lock Uhila who found space in the same corner to score.

The game grew scrappy in the final 10 minutes, and it was Vannes who finished with a flurry, with full-back Surano spotting a gap in the defence to go over for their third score.

Boulier rounded off the scoring to ensure Vannes did not leave empty handed.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel told BBC Sport Wales:

"I'm delighted for everyone at the club, we've got something to look forward to, knockout rugby, and it was the first real something we could chase this season so far, in terms of getting somewhere and we've done that.

"Obviously I'm disappointed with the second half because we put ourselves in a really good position to put Vannes to the sword, but let them back into it.

"On the flip side of it our goal was to qualify for the next round, we've done that, and we may be in with a shout for a home draw tomorrow [Sunday]."

Scarlets: Tom Rogers; Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Blair Murray; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Max Douglas, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree.

Replacements: Shaun Evans, Kemsley Mathias, Gabe Hawley, Alex Craig, Jarrod Taylor, Efan Jones, Charlie Titcombe, Ioan Nicholas.

Vannes: Paul Surano; Salesi Rayasi, Inaki Ayarza, Tani Vili, Romaric Camou; Jean Cotarmanac'h, Stephen Varney; Charlesty Berguet, Cyril Blanchard, Paga Tafili, Matthieu Uhila, Fabrice Metz, Leon Boulier, Francisco Gorrissen (capt), Karl Chateau.

Replacements: Pat Leafa, Thomas Moukoro, Santiago Medrano, Jesse Parete, Joe Edwards, Sione Kalamafoni, Michael Ruru, Maxime Lafage.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)

Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira & Griffin Colby (SARU)

TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)